Even the most experienced drivers benefit from brushing up on driving skills

Cars have changed. So have the traffic rules, driving conditions, and the roads you travel every day. Some drivers age 50-plus have never looked back since they got their first driver's licenses, but even the most experienced benefit from brushing up on their driving skills.

Mennonite Village Continuing Care Retirement Community is hosting the AARP Driver Safety Course for their residents and anyone else who wishes to attend.

Course participants can expect to learn current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to operate a vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment. They'll learn adjustments to accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.

Drivers will learn the following:

•    How to minimize the effects of dangerous blind spots
•    How to maintain the proper following distance behind another car
•    The safest ways to change lanes and make turns at busy intersections
•    Proper use of safety belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and new technologies
•    Ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities
•    The effects of medications on driving
•    The importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use

After completing the course, drivers will have a greater appreciation of driving challenges and of how to avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others.

The classroom course costs only $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Contact Karen Wilkinson for information. (541) 704-4248.